3 Kings Day: Celebrating with Latinos on El Dia de Los Reyes

Thursday (The 12th Day of Christmas), January 6 is El Dia de Los Reyes...3 Kings Day, which is celebrated in Mexico and Latin America. No Drummers drumming, but a very well celebrated holiday equal to Navidad.

January 6 marks the day that the
3 wise men arrived bearing gifts for Jesus way back when, in Bethlehem. And you thought everyone was taking the decorations down and getting into the 2011 swing of things, didn’t you?

Here’s a little bit about how El Dia de Los Reyes is celebrated in Mexico (it’s my understanding that other countries have their variances as well):

• Kids write letters to Los Tres, much like is done to Santa in the US. Traditions in Mexico can vary from sticking the letter inside a shoe under an altar, next to a Nativity set or under a Christmas tree. I’ve heard of some traditions that involve burning the letters, allowing the smoke/wishes go up to the heavens.
• On the 5th, the day before, kids start getting ready for the arrival of Los Tres. Kids are sent to bed early for the arrival of Los Tres but prior to that, customs include putting out gifts for Los Kings, as well as a little something for their camels such as water, hay, grass, etc. They’ve come a long way and they’re pretty tired.
• On the morning of the 6th, kids get up early, start the commotion, fight over who got what, etc., similar to Christmas morning in the US. However, the payday isn’t as big as what we’re used to here in the US. Anyway, lots of smiles and laughter ensue.
• For grown ups and the rest of the family, there are the get togethers at each others’ homes and celebrations. Lots of food and laughter. One traditional baked good is Rosca de Reyes, a sweet bread that’s round, shaped like a crown. It’s fruitcake, but with a different (better) taste. One custom is to have a little baby figurine baked inside the Rosca. This symbolizes how Jesus was hidden from the Romans as a baby.

Some folks continue the celebration later on, into early February with Candlemas Day. This has a deeper, more religious meaning to it.

So, if you’ve been marketing to US Latinos or to those in Mexico, did you consider this Holiday? If not, there’s always next year when doing your planning.

In the meantime, you can go to most Mexican/Latino bakeries and get Rosca de Reyes now.

Go try something different!

Special thanks to Yucatan Living.

Comments

[Yvette]

WOW!!! Very interesting indeed!!! I knew about it and we normally do not take down our Christmas decorations until after 3 Kings Day, but I NEVER knew the details. I have never heard of kids writing letters. Thanks so much for the great insight. Now, I'm off to search for a good Rosca de Reyes recipe and be sure to celebrate and post about it. Might be next year though ;)

[Joe Ray]

Yvette, I think this would be an excellent addition to your cookbook. I think Rosca is one of those things that for many folks it's in the background and when reminded of it, light bulbs go off and the response is "oh yeah, I remember that", or "I've heard of that".

I think it would be an excellent recipe. And much better than the traditional fruitcake...

[Kim Brandi]

KAH Tequila will host a tequila tasting for TJ Tots’ annual fundraising event “Dia de Los Reyes Magos” on January 6, 2011 at The Front Gallery, 147 West San Ysidro Blvd, San Ysidro, California 92173 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM. TJ Tots’s fundraising efforts benefit the children of Orfanatorio Emmanel Ninos y Ninas and Hogar de los Ninos, located in Tijuana, B.C, Mexico. These orphanages were chosen as beneficiaries because of their urgent need for clothes, blankets and school supplies. For further information about TJ Tots and the January 6 festivities, please contact Teresa Montero at info@tjtots.org, visit www.tjtots.com online or directly by phone at (619) 227-0008.

[Joe Ray]

What a great cause, Kim! And perfectly in line with the true spirit of the holiday. We wish you a lot of success with this event, especially for the good that it accomplishes. Thanks for sharing this!

http://tjtots.org/

[Khaki Scott]

To learn more about King Cakes, there is an article here http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/24/mardi-gras-king-cake/ and for a great recipe, use John Folse's King Cake Recipe here: http://www.slashfood.com/2009/02/24/mardi-gras-king-cake/

[Joe Ray]

Thanks for the info, Khaki. I had forgotten about the baby prize inside the cake meaning whoever gets it hosts the next get together at their home.

[Toni Brown]

Coming to this article late! but it's great, and I didn't know the background as you present it here whatsoever. Very cool! Funny how much I respond to a day that ISN'T such a victim of media overkill ... can still come at it with a more pure, UNcommercialized spiritual mentality. I like!

[Joe Ray]

Thank you, Toni. It's a low key holiday. Interestingly enough, I was at Costco on Saturday and I did see a few boxed Rosca de Reyes (Kings Cake) in the bakery department, complete with a tiny plastic baby Jesus inside the box. The cake looked beautiful and delicious too.

Somebody's ahead of the curve there.

[Tracy]

I like Día de los Reyes, but my husband said his (Salvadoran) family didn't really celebrate to the extent that Mexicans do. I started the Rosca de Reyes tradition in our family anyway because it's fun :)

[Supra Footwear]

You will usually find that they do not like what people say but if more time together.